POUGHKEEPSIE – The Marist Athletics Department mourns the loss of long-time Coordinator of Sports Medicine, Glenn Marinelli, who passed away on Friday, May 30 after a long and courageous fight against cancer. He was 56 years old.

Glenn’s battle against cancer began in July of 2011. During his courageous fight, Glenn inspired many with his resiliency and determination. Glenn took pride in delivering motivational messages to Marist’s student-athletes, coaches and staff members. His phrase, “Never Give Up, Never Surrender” became the rallying cry for the Red Foxes. The phrase was inscribed on wristbands, and is now painted above the offices in the Dr. Michael J. Maynard Center for Sports Medicine in the McCann Center.

“Our Athletic Department and Marist community is deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved colleague and friend,” Marist Director of Athletics Tim Murray said. “He served the department with selfless professionalism, integrity and commitment to excellence in his service to student athletes and coaches. As the cornerstone to our sports medicine department for the past 32 years, Glenn has impacted the lives of every Division I athlete in our history.

“Glenn, Angela and their children will always be a special part of the Marist family. Our love, thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Glenn began his tenure as Marist’s Coordinator of Sports Medicine in 1981. He also served as Assistant Director of the Physical Education Program at Marist, as well as being an adjunct professor in the Athletic Training Program. During his 32 years of service to the Marist community, Glenn impacted the lives of countless student-athletes, coaches and staff members who cherished his sense of humor and fun-loving attitude.

“We’re deeply saddened with the news of Glenn’s passing,” Marist Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jeff Bower said. “His impact on the thousands of people he touched in the Marist community and around the area will be long felt. The fight shown in Glenn was not surprising to those who knew him and will serve as an inspiration for everyone who was touched by him. His role as a father, a husband, a teacher and a mentor has left a lasting legacy, and his compassion for the athletes he served and the Marist community was unmatched.”

Glenn was a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), the Eastern Athletic Trainers Association (EATA) and the New York State Athletic Trainers Association (NYSATA). He served on the NATA Research and Education Foundation, the College and University Athletic Trainer Committee and was the NYSATA Section II Regional Representative.

A frequent lecturer, Glenn spoke at Athletic Training Symposiums around the region. He served as coordinator of the Marist College Sports Medicine Symposium as well as the organizer of the numerous substance and dietary seminars offered for the benefit of Marist’s student-athletes. Glenn was well-respected by his peers in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and throughout the Athletic Training community. He also formed special relationships with the vast number of football and basketball officials he encountered on the sidelines over the past three decades.

"Glenn will be deeply missed as a friend and colleague by all of his fellow Athletic Trainers in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference,” Fairfield Director of Sports Medicine Mark Ayotte said. “Glenn's dedication to our profession and his concern for the well-being of his student athletes at Marist for 30 plus years, set the bar high for the rest of us to follow.

“His strength and courage is a true inspiration. He never gave up and he never surrendered, and we will never forget him."

Glenn earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in 1979 from Springfield College after serving as a student athletic trainer for four years. He went on to earn a Master’s of Education in Athletic Training from the University of Virginia in 1980, and served as graduate assistant trainer at the University of Richmond while pursuing his Master’s.

A testament to his great character, Glenn has received multiple awards recognizing his positive spirit and ability to make a lasting impression on those he encountered. He was a multiple recipient of Springfield’s Distinguished Athletic Training Award. The award, given annually, is presented to the Springfield alum who best represents the ideals of the program and shows continued dedication to the school and profession. He also received the Marist Athletics Department’s James E. Pizzani Award in 2013. The Pizzani Award is presented annually at the Marist Athletics Senior Banquet to a person who has made a significant impact on the Marist community through service, leadership and their love of the college.

As a tribute to Glenn’s lasting impact on the Athletic Training Program, the inaugural Glenn Marinelli Award for Excellence in Athletic Training was presented on May 23, 2014, at the college’s Baccalaureate Ceremony. The award, which will be presented annually to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement in the study of athletic training at Marist, was given to Patrick Deedy, a four-year member of the school’s cross country and track & field teams.

Prior to coming to Marist, Glenn spent one year as the athletic trainer at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla. He also worked with the New England Patriots from 1980-83 at their preseason training camp.

A competitive athlete who kept himself in outstanding physical condition, Glenn completed the Boston Marathon in 1982 and 1983. He also completed a 100-mile bicycle ride in Tiverton, R.I., on multiple occasions.

Glenn and his wife of 30 years, Angela, have three children, Ashley, Lindsey and Alex. Lindsey was a 2013 Marist graduate who was a manager for the football team and member of the dance team.

The wake for Glenn will be held on Wednesday, June 4 from 4-8 p.m. at Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home in Poughkeepsie. The funeral will be on Thursday, June 5 at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Poughkeepsie.